Apparatus for threading sewing needles



h 1943- D. R, LlGH 2,332,669

APPARATUS FOR'THREADING SEWING NEEDLES Original Filed May 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR y DAV/D RLIGH P) .Qodu

4 Z'ORNEV D. R. LIGH 2,332,669

APPARATUS FOR THREADING SEWING NEEDLES Oct. 26, 1943.

Original Filed May 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' FIG. 9

f/l fllrrrrrrrrrrrrr INVENTOR y DAV/D R.L1GH

A TTORNE Y Patented Oct. 26, 1943 UNITED STAT APPARATUS FOR THREADING SEWING NEEDLES. E

David Robert Ligh, New porpf Staten Island, N. Y.

Substituted for abando ned application Serial No.

337,143, May 25, 1940. This application April 7 11, 1941, Serial No. 388,135 I Claims. lorries- 99) This application is a substitute for application, Serial No. 337,143, filed May 25, 194.0.

This invention relates to needle threading apparatus and more particularly to a device to ac complish expeditiously the-passing of a thread through the eye of a needle intended for hand sewing operations.

It may occur that certain people are precluded from engaging in gainful or useful hand-sewin activities because they are unable to accomplish the threading of a needle. This may be unfortunately the fact in the case of persons who;'due to minor physical or nervous ailments, may fbe unable to hold their hands with sufficient steadiness to project a thread through theeye of a sewing needle. In such cases there may be no question either of the adequacy of the eyesight or of the physical capacity to achieve sewingof the'finest textile material. Blind persons as well as those suffering with various degrees of impaired vision could also employ both gainfully and usefully a certain amount of time in rough;

preliminary sewing, provided cessively threaded sewing needles were available to them. The above is particularly true in individual situations in which no other person is.

present to perform the needle threading operation. This invention contemplates a needle threading apparatus which tends to coordinate expeditiously a persons hands in the operation of passing a thread through the eye of a hand sewing needle such that it may be achieved entirely by a sense of touch. A general object of this invention is to simplify the threading of a hand-sewing needle.

Another object is to accomplish such thread-- ing in a minimum time.

a plurality of .suc-.

A further'object is to co-ordinate a person's hands in such threading operation.

Still another object is toaccomplish such threading operation in an expeditious manner.

Still another object is thread in such threading operation.

In a preferred embodiment the invention comprises a standard whose uppermost end terminates partly in a horizontal plane and partly ma to avoid splitting a stepped portion which latter portion embodies a vertical radial slot. Disposed substantially coaxially with the standard in the uppermost horizontal terminating plane and in the plane of the slot butin spaced relation with regard to the latter is an elongatedthread holder whose uppermost end embodies an extension which is positioned in the direction of the radial slot and in the plane thereof. In. operation, the thread a needle to be threaded and a thread looped about the thread holder. Thereafter, the needle is removedfrom the thread holder while the thread remains secured thereto. 'This serves to passthe thread through the eye-of the needle.

A feature of the invention provides for an ex-- peditious passing of a sewing thread through the .eye .of a needle with equal facility by persons having unsteady hands and/or impaired vision. Another feature involves coordination of movements. of the hands during'jthe threading operation. Still another'feature tends to obviate the splitting of eration. A further, feature enables both relatively thick and line thread to be projected through the eye of a needle substantially with equal facility. A still further feature enables the accomplishment of threading entirely by touch of the hands. V

iThis invention will be readily understood from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 isacross-section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View of Fig. 1; M

Figs. 4fthrough 7 illustrate the action which maybe achieved by Fig. l;

ig.8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig.9 is afragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment of the. invention.

In the following description, the same referencenumerals are employed to point out identicalelements appearing in the several figures of the jdrawings. v I I V Referring to. Figs. 1 and 2 a base [5 comprises ajhollow conical member I6 which has a horizontal table l1 disposed in the uppermost portion thereof and enclosed by a peripheral border layvhich is an integral extension 0f the member lfib Positioned on IS whose function will holderis initially projected through the eye of" threads during the threading opthetable portion is a cushion be, hereinafter explained. Disposed centrally and vertically of thebase is a operation in a manner which disposed in the direction of the slot 24 in the vertical plane thereof. The thread holder 25' preferably spaced from the slot 24. In another aspect the thread holder 25. may beconsidered .15

- projected through the eye of the needle. A

as embodying a cut-out 28 extending'vertically of the side thereof adjacent the slot 24 and. posi= tioned in the vertical plane embodying both the thread holder 25 and the slot 24 and opening cases, depending on the size of the needle to be threaded and the expertness of the operator.

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 3 except in the respect i that radial slot 4!! lies in a plane which is parallel with the horizontal terminating plane 22 of the. upper end of the standard and the plane of the lowermost portion 29 of the extension 21 of the thread holder but is dispos'ecli'nt'efmediate both of the latter" planes. Acciordingly', the extension 21 of the thread holder 25 is disposed "above the plane of the lowermost portion of the slot 40. In operation, a needle 4| to be threaded actuated in a counter clockwise direction on a pivot 42 which is the forward or lefthand terminaliof the slot 46; such that thread holder 25 is f thread is then looped about the thread holder 25 as describe'd-arid'shown above in connection with the direction of the slot 24. The lowermost portion 29 of the extension 21, which portion is also coincident with the uppermost portion of the cut-out 28, lies in a planewhich is preferably parallel'with the terminating plane 22 of the standard 20 but is disposed thereabove. It i s to be noted that the extension 21is disposed above the plane of the lowermost portion of the'slot'24, which as previously mentioned, is coincident with the terminating plane 22. Thus, the thread holder 25 and slot 24 liej in coincident vertical planes. H

The thread holder 25 is initially and, suitably mounted centrally of a. convenient metallic insert 30, Fig. 2, which may thereafter be pressedfinto the upper end of the standard20 such that the thread holder 25 is mounted substantially in a coaxial relation therewith. It is to be "understood that the thread holder 25 and associated slot 24 may be spaced relative to each other on the up er end of the standard in any manner thatwill tend to eifectexpeditiously a threading described.

In the operation of Fig. 1 a needle to e threaded is grasped at the pointed end between two fingers of one hand and disposed longitudinally in the slot 24 such that the eye thereof is passed over the thread holder 25fas shown in Fig. 4. Next, a thread 36 grasped between two fingers of the other hand is looped about the thread holder, 25 as shown in Fig. 5. Thereupon, the needle pivoted atend 31 of the slot 24, Fig. 6, is actuated in a clockwise direction while at the same time the thread is holder. As the eye of and thus held until they eye of thefne'edlelhas passed completely over the extension 21, earn other words, until the eye of the needle has been withdrawn from the thread holder "25. such actuation ofthe needle and such holding or the;

thread 36 serves to effect 'a passing of theil'ooped end of the latter throu h the" eye of"the'f1 eedl as shown in Fig.6. Thereafter, while the thread i method of threading a needle, itisobvio'u's] that. iiifitalii'i suh pivot may be dispensed "with in will be presently pulled taut on the thread the needle commences to. pass over the extension 21,: the thread willibe' pressed against the lowermost'portion 29'thereof' may he poses,;and attire sameTtime topro't'ectjtlieltliread..

- sc'opeor the appende'diclaim's. k

Fig. 9' illustrates. an embodiment in which-tire} uppermost endfof the is'tandardjll terminatsf substantiallyin a horizontal plane, notfs'howiL} which is substantially identical with the plane. 22, Fig. 1, and. on which is suitably disposed .a. cylindrical cap 56 having aconfiguration.whiohlis readily accommodated tothe uppermostend oi the standard 20. Secured to this capin a, suitlowermost portion 55-of an integral iitiijilfliif Q bread- 56 formed on the uppermost "end of 6th holder 5|. The modificationilldstiatedin Fig-9 3g provides a structure which is essentiallyidentidal with the tructures: Fig. 8,'and' whiehis'iitilizjed to pass a thr'e'adfthrough theeye of a needle-in" the manner 'hereinbefore describe connection with Fig. 8. It isto be understood Fiaathat' the nor-mm element 54 maybe omitted. son

same as 'that shown in Fig; '3. P The brokenflines Q60 shown to provide astructure which issubstannany.

2o so ,as to beavailable readiiyifor'fsewing'pui holder 250i" 5| against :darnage duri g, periods of non-use. Thecushionl :Fig. 1, provides econ ining readily avai venient means, for main different types of needles,-, or similarneedleshaving different'types oflthread, j I i I;

It is to. be understood that .the:inv,ention3.in its: several embodiments as herein disclosed" is read) 'ly capabl'eof other modifications by thoseqskilledg in the art, and therefore i is: to be :limitiedrlbkthdi What is claimed is:

1. A needlethreading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means, means disposed on one portion of the uppermost endof said supporting means and having an effective radial slot extending vertically relative to the uppermost end'of said supporting means, and thread holding means mounted on another portion of the uppermost end of said supporting meansflin the plane of said slot and spaced from said slotted means. 3 j

2. A needle threadiing apparatus comprising in combination supporting means, means positioned on one portion of the uppermost end of said supporting means and having a slot extending radially and vertically with reference to the uppermost end of said supporting means, elongated means fastened to another portion of the uppermost end of said supporting means in the plane of said slot and spaced from saidslot means, and an extension disposed on the uppermost end of said elongated means in the direction of said slot and in coincident planesembodying both said slot and said elongated means and spaced from said slot means. I l,

3. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination a base, a standard positionedpn said base, a segmental projection formed on a portion of the uppermost end of said standard and having a radial slot extending verticallyrel ative to the uppermost end of said standard, elongated means disposed on a different portion of the uppermost end of said standard .in the plane of said slot and in spaced relation with reference to said projection and an extension mounted on the uppermost end of said elongated means in the plane embodying both said slot and said elongated means and spaced from said slotted projection.

l. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination upright means, a stepped portion formed integrally on a segment of the uppermost end of said upright means, said stepped portion having a radial slot extending vertically with reference to the uppermost end of said upright means, elongated means mounted on a, different segment of the uppermost end of said upright means in the plane of said slot and spaced from said stepped portion, and an extension integral with the uppermost end of said elongated means and disposed in the direction of said slot in coincident planes embodying both said slot and said elongated means and in spaced relation with reference to said stepped portion.

5. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means, elongated means mounted vertically on a substantially central portion of the uppermost end of said supporting means, an integral extension disposed on the uppermost end of said elongated means in the plane thereof, and means projecting from a different portion of the uppermost end of said supporting means in spaced relation with reference to both said elongated means and said extension and having a radial slot which is disposed vertically with reference to the uppermost end of said supporting means in the plane embodying both said elongated means and said extension.

6. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means, an elongated member disposed vertically on a substantially central portion of the uppermost end of said supporting means and. having a cut-out, and means having a slot and mounted on another portion of the uppermost end of said supporting e9 3 means in spaced relation with reference to both said elongated member and cut-out such that said slot is disposed radially and vertically relati vejto the uppermost end'ofsaid supporting means in alignment with both 'said elongated member and cut-out. Y H '7; A needlethreading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means whose uppermost surface terminates substantially in a horizontal plane, a segmental projection extending vertically from a portion of said terminating plane and having a radial slot which extends vertically relative to said terminating plane and whose lowermost portion is coincident with said terminating plane, elongated means mounted on anotherportion of said terminating plane in the plane of said slot, andan extension affixed to theuppermost end of said elongated means in spaced relation with regard to'said slot and in the direction of said slot and in a plane embodying both said slot and said elongated means and disposed above said lowermost portion of said slot.

8, A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means Whose uppermost end terminates substantially in a horizontal plane, means extending vertically from a portion of said terminating plane and having a radial slot which extends vertically relative to said terminating plane and whose lowermost portion lies in said terminating planegelongated means extending from another portion of said terminating plane in the plane of said slot and in spaced relation with regard to said slot, and an extension afiixed'integrallyto the uppermost end of said elongated-means and disposed inthe direction of said slot and in the plane of said slot such that said extension lies above said lowermost portion of said slot. v

9! A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination supporting means whose uppermost surface terminates substantially in a horizontal plane, elongated means mounted vertically on one portion of said terminating plane, an exten-- sion disposed horizontally on the uppermost end of said elongated means such that the lowermost portion of said extension lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to said terminating plane and which is disposed thereabove, and means extending vertically from another portion of said terminating plane and having a radial slot which is disposed in the plane or both said elongated meansand extension in spaced relation with regard to both thereof such that the lowermost portion of said slot lies in a plane which is substantially parallel with said terminating plane and the plane of the lowermost portion of said extension and which is positioned intermediate both said latter planes.

10. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination upright means Whose upper surface terminates in a horizontal plane, a projection integral with said upright means and extending vertically from a portion of said upper terminating plane, said projection having a slot which extends radially and vertically relative to said upper terminating plane and whose lowermost portion lies in a plane which is parallel to said upper terminating plane and which is disposed thereabove, elongated means mounted on said upright means and projecting from another portion of said upper terminating plane in the vertical plane of said slot, and an extension. mounted on the uppermost end of said elongated means in the direction of said slot and the vertical plane of said slot and in spaced relation with [regard thereto such that said extension .is disposed above 'the plane or the lowermost per- .tionofsaidvslot. j: H '11. A needle threadin apparatus comprising in combination a base, a standard -dispos ed,on said base and whose uppermost tend terminates substantially a horizontal plane, an-element disposed on a portion-of the uppermost end'ef said standard, said element-having zai-slot extendin-g both radially and 'vertically .re1ative :to said terminating plane and whose lowermost portion lies in .a plane which issubstantially parallelto said terminating plane and which is located thereabove, anda member having ,one'end-fomned with a cut-out and disposed vertically en'another portion -of the uppermost end of said standard in spaced relation with regard to said element such that said cut-out is located on the edge .of said member nearest to said slotted element and lies above :the planeof the lowermost portion of said slot. 7 I

12. A needle threading apparatus comprising in combination a standard and means mounted .on said standard to pass arthread through the eye of a needle, said thread passing .means comprising means disposed on the uppermost end of said standard to provide a radial ,slot, .said slot having a lowermost portion which is disposed above the uppermost .end of said standard, an elongated element positioned .on the uppermost end of said standard in the plane of said .slot and spaced from said slot, and an extensionalfixed to the uppermost end of said element .in the direction of said slot and in aplane embodying both said slot and said elongated element and disposed above the lowermost portionofsaid slot. o 13. A needle threading apparatus comprising means whose uppermost surface terminates substantially in a horizontal 12181119,?1fl6211l8d1513086d ion-one portion-of said terminating-plane and em bodying a slot extending radially and vertloally with re-ierenoe to said terminating plane and whose ;lower;most portion lies in a planewhich is substantially parallel to said terminatingv plane and which is disposed the'reahove, and elongated means disposed-0n another :portionof said ter- ,minating lane inithe plane of-said .s1ot .and'

spaced from saidslbtmeans.

14. A needle threading apparatus comprising means whose uppermost surface -,.terminates sub stantially in a horizontal .plane, means extending vertically ,from one portion .of said terminating'plane and having a slot extending radially and vertically withreference to saidterminating plane and whose lowermost portion is coincident with said terminating plane," and lelonza'ted .means extending from another portion of iterminat'ing'plane in the plane .of said slot and spaced from said slotmeans; I

15. A needle threading apparatus comprising upright means, and means attachedtosaid right means -to pass a thread through the eye of a needle, comprising means mounted on the uppermost surface .of said upright ,means and terminating .substantiallyin a horizontal plane, means disposed on one portion of said terminating plane -.to v. provide an effective slot extending 4 radiallyandvvertically with reference to said termina'ting. plane andwhose lowermost portion lies in a plane which is substantially parallel 1to,said terminating plane-and which is disposed therea'boval'a'nd an elongated memberpositioned on another portion of said terminatingplanefin theplane .019 said .slotland spaced from saldslot means. r v r DAVID.R1OBERTILIGH. 

